Johnson Scores Season-High 24 In 68-65 West Chester Loss To Shepherd

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Although the West Chester University Golden Rams led for more than half the game, the Rams of Shepherd University took a 59-58 lead on a lay up with 6:04 remaining in the fourth quarter and never trailed again. The Golden Rams lost 68-65 to the newly added Pennsylvania Athletic State Conference opponent, Shepherd.
 
The Golden Rams (3-8, 1-5 PSAC) shot 50 percent from three and 80 percent from the free-throw line, but timely makes from the Rams (9-3, 3-3 PSAC) led them to victory. West Chester held the Rams to 27-of-63 field goals and 4-of-19 from three.
 
WCU had the largest lead of the game when it led 21-12 on a made three by sophomore Sarah Holweg (West Pittston, Pa. / Wyoming) with 1:18 left in the first quarter.
 
Freshman guard Leah Johnson (Columbus, N.J. / Notre Dame) played 34 minutes and scored a career-high 24 points. Johnson bypassed her season high of 20 points that came in games against Lincoln (Pa.) and Slippery Rock earlier this season.
 
Sophomore guard Rebecca Margolis (Netwon, Pa. / Council Rock North) made her first start of the season and led the Golden Rams with seven assists.
 
WCU freshman forward Sasha Marvel (Medford Lakes, N.J. / Caravel Academy) chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
 
Seven of West Chester's eight losses this season have come by single-digit point margins. The most that West Chester has lost by against a conference opponent was seven points earlier this season versus California (Pa.).
 
West Chester is back in action on Monday when it heads on the road for the first time since November 24 to take on the Scots of Edinboro University. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.